Over 200 colleagues and guests gather in celebration of Olympic journalism in Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO, August 8, 2016 – Around 100 members of the media were joined by Olympic Champions, partners and guests on Monday morning as a new chapter in the celebration of Olympic journalism was written at the iconic Tokyo2020 Japan House at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Journalists who have covered 10 or more Olympic Games in careers and an outstanding dedication spanning over three decades, were honoured with limited edition Rio 2016 replica torches provided by AIPS Gold Partners and official Olympic merchandiser Honav.

A LOOK TO TOKYO 2020

Olympic hammer throw champion from Athens 2004 and bronze medalist from London 2012, Japan’s Foji Murafushi welcomed journalists to the Tokyo 2020 Japan House, the home of the next Games, and hailed the powerful role of the media within the Olympic movement.

“I am honoured to be here and welcome so many members of the media who are crucial to the very existence of the Olympic Games, whose next home will be Tokyo in four years’ time. I look forward to welcoming everyone here to Tokyo, where we will continue the celebration of the Games and its outstanding coverage.”

“Tokyo will have five new sports on the program in 2020, which means so many new stories to tell,” the 2011 World hammer throw champion said.

AIPS President Gianni Merlo delivered his initial speech by thanking Honav and Tokyo 2020 for their support and by congratulating all the veteran journalists present and underlining: “Here in Rio we have faced some serious matters and our hope is that Tokyo2020 will deliver a more journalist-friendly Games. Our important role is not even considered in Agenda2020.”

OLYMPIC LEGENDS

Four-time Olympic gold medalist, winner of eight World Championships gold medals, and the holder of both the world and Olympic records in the 400 m, one of the mostly highly regarded Olympians in the world, Laureus Academy member Michael Johnson was just one of the champions that honored veteran journalists at the Tokyo 2020 Japan House, explaining that media was a crucial pillar of the Olympic Games.

“We are here to celebrate journalists for their contribution to the Olympics, and the effort the put in to bringing the Games to the public around the world,” the US sprinting legend and Olympian said.

Johnson also explained the crucial role of Laureus in sport, which, in celebrating excellence, harnesses the positive power of sport for good, foremost in tackling society’s most pressing challenges around the globe.

MEDIA SUPERHEROES

The first journalist to be called to the stage was Italian veteran sports photographer Giuliano Bevilacqua of The World of Sports Agency who is covering a milestone 25th Olympic Games in Rio (13 Summer and 12 Winter). He was presented with a Rio 2016 replica torch by one of the most highly regarded Olympic veterans – HRH Prince Albert II of Monaco, who competed in both Summer and Winter Games spanning over decades himself, and who highlighted the dedication and passion of the media.

Bevilacqua explained that the passion for the Games has led to superhuman efforts, especially for photographers.

“Being a photographer at the Olympic Games, finding the right position, the right angle for a shot all while carrying around all of our equipment is one of the most enduring practices there is. We are superheroes of our own. Having covered the Games and done this, for so many years is something to be proud of,” Bevilacqua said.

SAPPORO 1972

Germany’s Hartmut Scherzer, honored on Monday for having covered 21 Olympic Games, has been working as a freelance sports journalist for over 50 years.

“Being here and being recognized by AIPS for my coverage of the Olympics makes me proud. My first Games, were in 1964, and I hope that God will give me the gratitude to be in Tokyo in 2020. Then the circle of my life in Olympic journalism closes after 52 years.”

Scherzer also revealed his most memorable Olympic moment out of the countless he has been a part of.

“I was the one who had to tell Karl Schranz that [IOC president] Avery Brundage had kicked him out of the Olympics in Sapporo in 1972, because he was a professional. In those days the problem was whether you were a professional or an amateur and Brundage hated professionals. I was the one who got the news from my agency – United Press International. When Karl Schranz came down the slope from training, I told him ‘Karl you have to go home, no medals’.”

These are the stories, and those who tell them, that AIPS, as the International Sports Press Association has committed itself to honouring at every Olympic Games to come.